Inside the Global Data Centre Investment Market
Data centres are essential digital infrastructure and one of the asset class’s most sought-after investment sectors. They are at the heart of the hyperscalers’ massive AI infrastructure build out and frequently grab headlines for their insatiable power and water consumption, environmental footprint, and community impact. Power is, in fact, the number one bottleneck data centre developers face nowadays.
Hyperscale, co-location and edge data centres
Data centres’ ever-closer association with the hyperscalers’ AI needs often obscures the depth of the sector, which also underpins cloud computing for the likes of Amazon, Microsoft and Google. And while AI data centres are turning into gigantic campuses, often consuming as much energy as a large city, the sector comprises everything from multi-tenant co-location facilities to single-organisation enterprise data centres, to edge facilities focused on reducing latency, to name just a few data centre types.
DATA CENTRE INSIGHTS
I Squared nears $15bn target for Fund IV – exclusive
The Miami-based firm has also added $300m to its Growth Markets Fund II, raising 77% of its $3bn target.
Critical Load: What’s next for data centres and AI?
The final episode in our four-part podcast miniseries that lifts the lid on one of the hottest and most contested sectors in private markets.
BNPP AM Alts raises €1.2bn for second European junior debt strategy – exclusive
The fund has so far closed 10 investments in green mobility, digital, energy transition, including solar, data centres and rail assets, primarily in Western Europe.
Australia’s capital gains tax changes put through the wringer
In a welcome reprieve, foreign investors in Australia’s renewable energy sector can now claim a 50% CGT discount until 2040, but may still face challenges upon exit.
Critical Load: Who pays for data centres?
Episode three in our four-part podcast miniseries that lifts the lid on one of the hottest and most contested sectors in private markets.
What’s driving the skyrocketing growth of infra CVs?
Thanks to ongoing LP acceptance and secular tailwinds, continuation vehicles in infrastructure are getting a new lease of life.
GPs blur the lines of infrastructure in hunt for returns
Holiday resorts, luxury marinas and medical supply chains are finding their way into infrastructure portfolios. Whether this definitional stretching continues will ultimately depend on buyers.
LPs rethink value-add strategy to broaden risk profile
The rise in appetite for value-add investment strategies reflects secular trends in the global economy.
Mid-market infrastructure’s time to shine
Capital continues to coalesce in mega-market funds despite the mid-market’s proven ability to outperform. But things may be about to change, say three infrastructure investment professionals in our mid-market roundtable.
Sectors are hot, but old risk buckets die hard
The rise of AI is causing LPs to look beneath the hood of infra funds to consider the specifics of sector allocation and not just risk-return.
Infrastructure Investor’s latest Digital report finds AI generating a wealth of opportunities.
Accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence is revolutionising digital infrastructure, from data centres to fibre to towercos. While AI itself is not new, many of its applications are, and demand for data centres is rocketing as providers look to support those applications. Thankfully, while AI is causing this increased demand, it may also be helpful in managing it, making businesses and assets more efficient. AI’s rapid development really does herald a new era. The future is here.
I Squared nears $15bn target for Fund IV – exclusive
The Miami-based firm has also added $300m to its Growth Markets Fund II, raising 77% of its $3bn target.
Antin launches continuation vehicle for Norwegian aquaculture firm
The fund aims to capitalise on surging investor interest in infra CVs and strong tailwinds in the aquaculture market to support the global expansion of wellboat company Sølvtrans.
Private Infrastructure Development Group set to invest more in funds
PIDG’s fund commitments to date have included catalytic capital for funds managed by Clifford Capital and GIP, a part of BlackRock.
Infra and RE debt fundraising struggle in H1 2026
Despite record-breaking H1 fundraising activity, infrastructure and real estate credit funds are largely absent from the total.
Critical Load: What’s next for data centres and AI?
The final episode in our four-part podcast miniseries that lifts the lid on one of the hottest and most contested sectors in private markets.